Spinal baclofen pump treatment for children with dystonia
Intrathecal baclofen and pediatric dystonia.
This project sees whether a spinal baclofen pump can improve movement, reduce pain, and make daily care easier for children with dystonia from cerebral palsy or acquired brain injury.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Baylor College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171360 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Children who receive an implanted intrathecal baclofen (ITB) pump will follow a standardized dosing and titration plan and be followed for 12 months. Regular visits will measure dystonia, spasticity, pain, mobility, and caregiving ease using validated assessment tools. Researchers will use clinical exams and brain imaging patterns (for example white matter injury) to compare who improves the most. The study is a prospective observational cohort designed to address limitations of prior small or inconsistent studies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are children with dystonia related to cerebral palsy or acquired brain injury who are being considered for an intrathecal baclofen pump and can attend serial follow-up visits.
Not a fit: Children whose problems are mainly pure spasticity rather than dystonia, those with medical contraindications to pump implantation, or who cannot access the treatment center may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could identify which children are most likely to benefit from ITB and lead to better symptom control, less pain, and easier daily care.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown mixed results for dystonia but some improvement in pain and caregiving, and overall evidence has been limited, so this larger, standardized approach is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Baylor College of Medicine — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Thomas, Sruthi Pandipati — Baylor College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Thomas, Sruthi Pandipati
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.